Crossing the border with Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian.

Game #88: Blue Jays at Red Sox pregame

BOSTON —After two delayed flights, another flight canceled, 15 hours of travel and one lost piece of luggage, I have made it to the pressbox here at Fenway Park. It was one hectic day for me on Wednesday, when it was also reported that Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill was going to land on the DL. Well, that became a running joke among the players in the tiny visitor’s clubhouse here this afternoon, considering Hill was A-OK. "I broke my left elbow, too," Hill joked. So, all’s well with Mr. Hill and Toronto’s lineup, for the time being. Here’s today’s pregame, and a pile of notes:

NOTES: As noted above, Hill was NOT placed on the DL. His left knee was indeed sore last weekend, and the Jays considered giving him more time off, but he felt fine after receiving treatment over the break in Florida. … RHP A.J. Burnett played catch for the first time since landing back on the DL, making about 25 throws and reporting no issues. GM J.P. Ricciardi said he might try to "super-speed" Burnett’s return to the rotation. … LHP Gus Chacin threw in a bullpen session on Wednesday with no issues. … Ricciardi talked about the trade deadline, saying that he has no plans to dismantle the team: "Someone would really have to knock us over with something. I like this group." He told the reporters that they could go golfing on July 31, because there were no plans to make any deals. … LF Reed Johnson wasn’t in the lineup because he’s hit just .111 in his career against Wakefield. Plus, manager John Gibbons wants to find ways to get Matt Stairs in the lineup as much as he can. … 1B Lyle Overbay was activated from the 15-day DL as anticipated and was back in the lineup, batting sixth and playing first. … Ricciardi said that the current plan is to keep Curtis Thigpen behind the plate and that he’s in the future plans still as a catcher, not an infielder. The GM batted C Robinzon Diaz’s name around in terms of a possible position switch. … Ricciardi also said that the Jays could potentially have RHP Brandon League back in the bullpen by the end of the month.

UPDATE — Scott Downs exited Thursday’s game after being struck on the right foot with a line drive by Boston’s Dustin Pedroia. An X-ray after the game showed no structural damage, and Gibbons said Downs suffered a bruise.

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

6 Comments

Blue Jays fans better hope J.P. trades himself for a person to be named later!!! Who signed Burnett to that ridiculous contract???? Classic case of a g.m. bidding against himself, kind of like Theo Epstein when he signed J.D. Drew, no other team was even in the running!!!! Just because you have the $$$$ to spend doesn’t mean you’ll know what to do with it!!!

Sorry gsummer I’m with him on AJ bad deal for Tronto.Whats up Doc why in gods name would you try to change perfection. You were the best pitcher in MLB bar none your going backwards not forwards.I never thought I would say this but here goes yuk good job JP KEEP this team together they are a force to be reckoned with there I’m glad thats over with. I dont expect this team to be in the playoffs this year so I’m hoping we at least beat the Yanks this year. Now this may sound dumb but we beat Boston last year the Yanks this year both next year.GO MARCUM.

Why would I be upset that the Blue Jays signed Burnett. I am a Red Sox fan, born and raised in Boston. You probably heard me laughing all the way from here when I heard the Jays signed Burnett, he wakes up in the morning and hurts himself. Whoever thought Burnett was a good signing is a total *****!!! I assume the same people who thought Burnett was a good signing is the same people that thought J.D. Drew was as well. Stick to hockey buddy.

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.